Description

The F4U-1D Corsair is a rank III American naval fighter
with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 3.3 (RB/SB). This naval fighter has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

The F4U Corsair is a very distinct aircraft with its famous gull-wing design and huge R-2800 Double Wasp engine.

The general playstyle of the F4U-1D is like any Corsair, climb high, only Boom-and-Zoom, never turn-fight and keep your energy high. Even though the F4U-1D can carry a considerable bomb load, in air RB, bringing any secondary load-out is a mistake and most likely will get you killed.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Suspended armament

Usage in battles

Due to its great energy retention and high dive speed, the Corsair is very good at Boom and Zooming. It is recommended to be used this way especially against any Japanese planes. Against any German planes Boom & Zoom is still recommended, but some planes you can out turn, such as the Fw 190 A-4. As with every American fighter, always climb at the start of a match. The only way to be successful with this plane is to climb high and end up higher than the enemy. Using this tactic will greatly increase your chances of getting air kills and forcing the enemy down low where you can finish them off.

When you are diving on a Japanese plane and it turns around, do not follow it in the turn to get a couple shots off. Instead pull an Immelmann turn, and you will end up right on the tail of an opponent with a lot less energy while you still have a lot. The same tactic can work against German aircraft to an extent as well.

Suitable for both dog-fighting as ground attacking the Corsair fulfils many roles.

With 8 rockets a great variety of targets can be taken care of. Four tanks of any size, if aimed well, four light pillboxes, or a single destroyer. 2,000 lbs (~1,000 kg for in-game purposes) deliver enough punch for 2/3 of a strategic base, or 1/2 Japanese Carrier.

Specific enemies worth noting

When facing the Japanese, you always have to look out for A6Ms, Ki-61s, and Ki-43s. Against all past mentioned you should never turn-fight them, boom-and-zoom each and let your superior speed, energy retention, and dive speed save you.

When facing the Germans or Italians, you have to be wary of Bf 109 F-4's and Bf 109 G-2's, each will outclimb you, outgun you, and accelerate faster than you. The best way to counter a 109 is to jump one that is on an teammate's tail, and pour your 6 x .50 cals into them. Unlike the Japanese planes, a 109 can take a lot of hits, and its fires can go out as well, so be wary. You do not have to worry much about Fw 190's, the only thing worth mentioning is to never head-on one, and if you do happen to get one on your tail, either out dive it or turn-fight it.

Counter-tactics

The best countermeasure against the F4U-1D is to outclimb it. If you do then it will be a sitting duck. If you are at the same altitude as it, try to engage it in a turn-fight if you have more energy than it (be mindful, a skilled pilot can make his F4U-1D out-turn the agile Bf 109 F-4).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements

Mixer

Pitch

Radiator

Supercharger

Turbocharger

Oil

Water

Type

Not controllable

ControllableAuto control available

ControllableNot auto controlled

ControllableNot auto controlled

Separate

Controllable3 gears

Not controllable

Modules

Tier

Flight performance

Survivability

Weaponry

I

Fuselage repair

Radiator

Offensive 12 mm

II

Compressor

Airframe

FRC mk.2

III

Wings repair

Engine

New 12 mm MGs

IV

Engine injection

Cover

FLBC mk.1

Pros and cons

Pros:

Great energy retention

Great at diving

High dive top speed

Good firepower

Great ammo reserves (> 375 rpg)

Good level top speed

Good turning radius

Good payloads

Mediocre rate of climb

Good acceleration

The absence of small fuel tanks on the wings reduces the chances of catching fire from a hit

Cons:

No rear visibility in the cockpit

Usually out-climbed by most enemies

Constant turning will cause plane to lose speed and energy quickly.

Tendency to catch on fire

Rather weak Damage Model

Wings are easily shot off by 20 mm cannons

Rudder jams above ~611 km/h (380 mph)

History

The F4U-1D Corsair was designed in order to meet the Navy's requirement for capable carrier-based fighter-bombers. To meet this need, the -1D incorporate a Pratt and Whitney R-2800-8W water injection engine, increasing the engine power and the plane's speed from that of the F4U-1A. This gave it the increased performance necessary to carry a larger armament. Two pylons were added to the center wing section, that could hold 154 gallon fuel tanks, bombs up to 1,000 lbs, or napalm bombs. Because of the ability to carry more fuel externally, the 63 gallon fuel tanks in the wing tips were removed. Later in production, the ability to carry four 5 in rockets under each wing was added. In addition, the propeller diameter was reduced from 13 ft 4 in to 13 ft 1 in.

In-game description

"When designing the single-engine carrier-based fighter-bomber designated as the Chance Vought F4U-1D Le Corsaire (“The Corsair”), it was decided to ignore the new weaponry from the F4U-1C and use six of the proven 12.7 mm machine guns (as had been on the F4U-1A).

The plane’s main innovation was its capacity to hold two 454-kg bombs and one 907-kg bomb. Thus, the F4U-1D could be used as a heavy fighter-bomber. Also, additional fuel tanks could be installed instead of bombs. In addition, a more powerful engine was added, and the last 266 F4U-1Ds and 295 FG-1Ds could carry eight 127-millimeter HVAR rockets.

The F4U-1D, the first large-scale variant after the F4U-1A, was produced not only at Chance Vought factory, but also at the Goodyear factory. Planes from the latter became known as FG-1Ds. The Brewster plant, which had produced the F4U-1A, did not work on the production of this variant, as its contract was annulled.

All in all, 1685 F4U-1Ds were made at the Chance Vought factory and 1997 FG-1Ds at the Goodyear factory."